By Truck Parts & Service Staff
Bearing Mounting
According to NTN, proper mounting practices eliminate unnecessary bearing damage during installation. Never strike the bearings directly with a hammer or a drift as damage may result. Apply evenly distributed force over the entire bearing ring face. When fitting both rings simultaneously, apply pressure to both rings to avoid indentations in the raceway or rolling elements.
Cold Mounting: Interference fits require even more care during installation because the bearing has a smaller bore or a larger outside diameter than the mating part. Bearings with relatively small interference fits can be press fit at room temperature by using a sleeve against the ring face.
Bearings are frequently mounted by striking the sleeve with a hammer, however, if available, use a mechanical or hydraulic press because it applies a more uniform force.
When mounting a non-separable bearing on a shaft and in a housing at the same time, use a pad that distributes the fitting pressure evenly over the inner and outer rings.
Heated Mounting: Bearings with large inner ring interference require a considerable amount of force to mount at room temperature. Mounting is facilitated by heating and thus expanding the inner ring.
The amount of heating required depends on the amount of interference and the shaft diameter.
If you are immersing bearings in hot oil, to avoid overheating, suspend the bearings inside the heating tank on a wire grid. Never bring bearings in direct contact with the heating element or bottom of the tank.
